Discusses links between poverty and student performance and achievement. Describes service learning and social reconstructionism (the relationship between school curriculum and the political, social, and economic development of society). Offers an example from an inner-city urban high school English class, describing social reconstructionism for…

Analyzing the serious discipline problems existing in inner-city secondary schools plus teacher and administrator perceptions of it, the author tells educators that they cannot expect to alter the home/school socioeconomic clash which generates the problem, but they can create a positive learning climate which will raise student achievement. (SJL)